The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) is developing a 10-year roadmap for early childhood research focused on helping vulnerable children get the best start in life. The 18-month project will set a research agenda for early childhood development in Australia to 2030 and the resulting Decadal Early Years Plan will be used by policymakers, academics and philanthropists to coordinate and fund research that will have the greatest impact on vulnerable children. The first thousand days of a child’s life has impacts into adulthood, and with greater understanding of the factors that promote success, supports will be better placed for the most vulnerable one in five children who start school behind in key areas of physical, social, emotional, language and communication skills.
